How does the CDC define fitness?

• A. The ability to run a marathon
• B. The capacity to perform heavy manual labor
• C. The ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies
• D. The absence of chronic disease

Answer: (C)

Fitness means how well you can perform daily activities with energy and resilience. The CDC describes it as the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies. This definition highlights everyday functioning and readiness, not just extreme performance or the absence of disease. Running a marathon or doing heavy manual labor reflects specific demands, not typical daily function, and being free of chronic disease doesn’t automatically guarantee high daily functional fitness.